Darjeeling - Queen of the Eastern Himalays

Until the beginning of the 18th century, the area between the present borders of Sikkim and the plains of Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong belonged to the kings of Sikkim. In 1706 the king lost Kalimpong to the Bhutanese and Darjeeling was invaded by the Gurkhas in 1780, as they had established and strengthened themselves in Nepal. These annexations by the Gurkhas became a sore point with the British who were quick to appreciate Darjeeling's value as a site for a sanatorium and hill station, and also as a probability to a pass into Nepal and Tibet. They started building pressure on the king of Sikkim into granting the site to the British and this is how Darjeeling came into existence. It was just a dense, uninhabited forest when the British came in and they soon converted that into tea estates, built roads, bridges, sanatoriums houses and lodges. Nepalese labor was employed in the growing of tea plantations and by 1857 Darjeeling had a population of some 10,000. Even today, the vast majority of people speak Nepali as a first language and the name Darjeeling continues to be synonymous with tea.

Queen of the Eastern Himalayas 

Popularly known as the Queen of Hills, Darjeeling is in the Shivalik hills, lower range of the Himalayas. Like most other hill stations in India, the British developed Darjeeling as a respite from the summer heat in the plains. The British loved the town for the compete rejuvenation package that it offered - serene atmosphere, view of the snowline, scented pines and a golden coloured brew called the Darjeeling tea. The place has since become a pilgrimage of sorts for tea connoisseurs.


Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is the town's other claim to global fame. Connecting the town with the plains, it was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999 and is one of the few steam engines still in service in India. Darjeeling also has several British-style public schools, hotels and houses that are very old and declared as heritage buildings.

Another feature that separates Darjeeling from its sister hill stations is its happy go lucky attitude, a cheer that envelops the people of this place. It is a curious coming together of a languorous oriental charm and a present day well paced energetic lifestyle.

Stocky, well built energetic men and women dressed in home grown versions of skirts and lungis, red cheeked, as though flushed with nature's bountiful reserves, throng the roads, not to forget young guitar wielding teenagers dressed up in their trademark jeans and an attitude of gay abandon.

Darjeeling is another name for surprises; every corner that the road leads to is a revelation. One sure cherishes the rolling meadows and alpine woods but the pleasure of discovering a tea estate round the corner or going uphill and landing into the arms of St Paul's school or Mayfair resort is indescribable.

Country code: 0354

• 78 kms from Siliguri

• 95 kms from Gangtok

• 51 kms from Kalimpong

• 30 kms from Kurseong

• 550 kms from Kolkata

• It is like having a Train parked in your backyard. Chug your dreams on Darjeeling Toy Trains ─ A UNESCO HERITAGE.

• If Darjeeling heights scare you, sip a Cuppa of freshening Darjeeling Tea, which helps your head from spinning. 

• It just that you have memorised this name in your school examinations. This time you are face to face with it ─ Mt Kanchenjunga.

• Tiger Hills are minus Tigers! But, of course, the sun sets and rises here have a huddle of tourists.

• Trek to the Sandakfu, a point where from where you can see those beautiful heights of Kanchenjunga and other pinnacles.

• A visit to Chowrasta is never complete without momos and wai wai, thupka and churpee.

• Leopard Breeding Centre is a must visit for all!

• You get peace of mind in these Tibetian and Buddhist Monasteries.

Going beyond these images, Darjeeling has much to offer in terms of its cultural diversity. Lepcha/Bhutia New Year's Day is celebrated in the 1st week of January during Makar Sankranti when the colorful fairs are held along the Teesta River. Losar Tibetan New Year's Day is celebrated in February. Colorful Tibetan folk-dances are staged in monasteries on this day. Durga Puja is worshipped and beautiful images of her are immersed in the water after taking them in colorful processions.

• Don't forget to carry your walking shoes, gumboots, light woollens for most of the time and heavy woollens for winters.

• Remember to carry raincoats umbrellas, powerful flashlight, water flask cameras etc.

• Follow the rates given on most of the rate boards especially for ponies , porters, treks, buses, share taxis etc. Rates are normally fixed and rarely negotiable.

• Travelling during monsoon that is from June to Sept is quite dangerous ,it can cause dangerous landslide which will sweep away roads and Darjeeling will be cut off from the rest of India, so rainy season is not a time to visit.

Additional Superintendent of Police (HQ.) 0354-2254263 0354-2252097
Additional Superintendent of Police (Siliguri) 0353-2433900 / 0353-2433900
Sadar Thana 0354-2254422
Darjeeling Gymkhana Club 0354-2254341/2254342
The Planters Club 0354-2254348
Planters hospital 91 9332490262
Mariam Nursing Home 91 354 2254637
Darjeeling Railway Station 91 354 2252774/2252555
Air Port Enquiry, Bagdogra 91 353 2551192
Indian Airlines, Darjeeling 91 354 2252355

At a Glance

Located at 6710 ft, Darjeeling is one of India's most popular hill stations. And receives its fair share of rain - 3092 mm!

When to Visit:

Best season to visit is March to mid June and October to December. Darjeeling is very cold from November up to March and it rains heavily between June to August leading to landslides and road blockades. If you chance to be around this time carry raincoats and umbrellas and be ready for cloudy and foggy days. In winter water tends to be scarce. For mountain views the best time to visit is from mid September to mid November, and then from mid March to mid June, when it starts becoming hazy, because of cloud cover. The average temperature ranges from 8.5 - 15 degrees Celsius in summers and 1.5-6 degrees Celsius in winters.

Dial in code(s):

Distance(s):

How to Reach

Road:

Regular bus services and hired vehicles connect Darjeeling to Bagdogra, Siliguri and the neighbouring towns of Kurseong, Kalimpong and Gangtok in Sikkim. Being a tea belt one comes across many Land Rovers and Garden jeeps, as they can easily navigate the steep slopes in the region. Share matadors and minibuses are also available and from Siliguri the tickets vary between Rs. 100 to 150. Journey Time - about 3 hours from the airport/ Siliguri. 
Rail: 

The closest major railway station is in New Jalpaiguri, NJP for short. New Jalpaiguri /Siliguri is the rail head for all trains, except the toy train running to Darjeeling. If you want to enjoy the scenery the toy train is a must. It takes six to seven hrs from Siliguri covering a distance of almost 80 km. 

Air: 
The nearest airport is in Bagdogra, near Siliguri, 93 km (58 miles) from Darjeeling. Bagdogra is connected to important cities of the country by domestic airlines.

Must see, Must do 

Activities

Tiger Hill

Situated at an altitude of 2590 metres (8482 ft.) and 13 km from the town, this spot has earned international fame for the magnificent view of the sunrise over "Kanchenjunga" and the great Eastern Himalayan Mountains. Even Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is visible from here. The snow-clad Himalayan ranges have a majestic presence in the background and Mount Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, is visible on bright sunny days and is a major tourist attraction.

The Mall

The Mall is Darjeeling's popular commercial street, with book shops, Tibetans selling hand-knitted sweaters, souvenir shops, eateries and tea/coffee stalls accompanied with hot steaming momos. The Mall leads to Chaurasta, a square, which also is pony riding arena for children.

Batasia Loop

About 5 km from Darjeeling, this Railway Loop is a marvellous feat of engineering. It is fascinating to watch the toy train wind its way round the loop. The War Memorial constructed in the memory of brave sons of Darjeeling who died in different action since 1947, is worth a visit.

Chowrasta

The Chowrasta, meaning crossroad, is the heart of Darjeeling. It is a coming together of hotels, restaurants, curio sellers, semi precious and precious stones spiritual artifacts, woollen garments, rosaries, tankhas etc.

River rafting

White Water Rafting is an adventure sport, which is relatively new in the Darjeeling Hills. Darjeeling is also home to the mighty River Teesta and Rangeet whose turbulent currents make a formidable challenge to even the seasoned rafter. There is however a wide range in the intensity of the rapids making it adequate for all, the young and the aged to enjoy the spectacular scenery while leisurely snaking down the river. The Dept. of Tourism, DGHC has successfully promoted this sport and has acquired well trained members and quality equipment ensuring a safe and pleasant ride to all visitors. These are activities that attract tourist attention.

St. Paul's School

St. Paul's School is one of the India's oldest and most pre-eminent public schools, known for its academic tradition and alumni. At about 7500 feet above sea level, it offers a great scenic pleasure and has the famous Kanchenjunga mountain range right behind. St Paul is physically separated from Darjeeling by its location on a high hill that is a few kilometers above the main town. Large expanses of wild land and greenery surround the campus, affording the campus a spectacular view of the town, the high foothills and snowy peaks of the Himalayas.

Governor's house

The British treated this place as a getaway destination in the summer months and the tradition continues even today, though unofficially, with the governor shifting base from Kolkata to the Raj Bhawan or the Governor's house in Darjeeling. The house is over hundred years old and the koi hai culture prevails. The high ceilings, the old banisters, the majestic pillars and big rooms create a deja vu and the romance of the yesteryears envelops the visitor.

Religious Places

It is a place of monasteries centres of Buddhist beliefs like Samdenchoeling, Sakyachoeling, Phin Sotholing, Aloobari, Thupten Sangachoeling and Sonada Gompas. The Dhirdham Temple is the most prominent Hindu temple here.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

HMI for short is a museum of sorts and also a training centre. The equipments used by the famous duo Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay are on display at the centre including their boots, the torch, their personal items, clothing and mountaineering essentials that they had carried along with, when they set out to scale Mount Everest. The humble start of the Sherpa is highlighted. Born in the village of Moyey in the Tibet, raised in Nepal and a resident of India for his life, Tenzing never learnt to read or write, but had an active mind and was fluent in several languages. Known for his daring spirit and competence in trekking, Tenzing Norgay, (1914-1986) went to Everest as a high altitude porter on the 1935, 1936 and 1938 Expeditions. In 1952, he was a climbing member of the Swiss expedition's attempt on Everest. With Raymond Lambert he reached 28,200 feet (8595m) in the spring campaign. The following year with Edmund Hillary, Tenzing completed the same route, thus making the first successful summit ascent. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, then Prime Minister and a visionary to commemorate the famous Everest feat and to laud the enthusiasm of the youth opened a mountaineering institute (HMI) in Darjeeling and equipped the institute with a technical expertise that could be imparted to young and keen mountaineers. Today it is a renowned mountaineering institute in the world.

Shopping

Shawls woollens, curios beads semi precious and precious stones tankhas Buddhist curios and artefacts. The well known shopping centres are as follows Chowk Bazar, Chowrata, Ladenla Road, Nehru Road, Motor Stand & Mahakal Market. Curio retailing shops are Art Emporium and Dorjee on Ladenla Road, Eastern Arts on Chowrasta and last but not the least Nepal Curio House on Nehru Road.

Travel Tips

Emergency Info

Superintendent of Police 0354-2254270 0354-2254277

Check below links for booking holidays:
1.www.yatra.com
2.www.travelmasti.com 
3.www.darjeelingtourpackage.com

Check below links for best hotels in Darjeeling:
1.RJ Resort Ltd. 
2.Mayfair Darjeeling 
3.Fortune Resort Central


Check below links for booking of Flight
1.Travelocity
2.Expedia
3.Cleartrip